Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy was apprehended by Warangal’s Subedari police at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport when he was about to board a reported international flight. He was taken into custody and brought to Warangal in relation to a high-profile case of extortion.
The MLA was arrested based on a complaint lodged by Katta Umadevi, wife of granite businessman Manoj Reddy, who has his base in the Huzurabad constituency. In her complaint, she stated that Kaushik Reddy made a demand of ₹50 lakh from her husband and warned him of severe repercussions if the money was not paid. The police registered a case on her complaint and acted quickly to arrest the MLA before he could flee the country.
This is not Kaushik Reddy’s first encounter with the law. He had earlier cases for alleged misconduct against police officials, but he had been able to get bail and escape jail time. Legal analysts, however, indicate that the charges for extortion he now faces are more serious in nature and that obtaining bail might be harder. After undergoing a mandatory medical examination in Warangal, he will be produced before a magistrate.
Kaushik Reddy’s political career has been as controversial as well. Having been a part of the Congress party in the past and a close relative of senior leader Uttam Kumar Reddy, he shifted to BRS amid the Huzurabad by-elections. Although initially not offered a ticket, he was later offered a chance in the general elections and managed to win a seat. But his pre-election strategy was criticized after he posted an emotional video vowing to commit suicide and take his family with him if he lost — a move that many perceived as an attempt to appeal to the emotions of voters.
Now, being in the opposition, Kaushik Reddy frequently remains in the news with his fearless and often provocative statements against Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. His blunt nature and aggressive political attitude still make him a regular attraction in the media.